The former communities secretary was accused of "unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping".

"We as a family and dad strongly denied the allegations," Mr Sargeant told BBC Wales.

The Welsh Government has commissioned QC Paul Bowen to look into the matter, but his independent inquiry is yet to start taking evidence.

"We're half a year on and we're still seeking answers, and those answers are needed, I think, for the grieving process to begin for some people, or to carry on the grieving process for some people," Mr Sargeant said.

'Extremely long time'

He said six months was an "extremely long time" to wait.

"I'd like to hope no one is dragging their feet, because let's not forget someone's died here," he said.

Mr Sargeant said "lessons clearly have to be learned".

"We should look at mental health. The government and the assembly should be at the forefront of that and there are clearly answers that need to be addressed and that inquiry needs to get under way for that reason so this does not happen to another family," he said.

"I don't want another son to go through what I've only just started going through."

Image caption
Carwyn Jones announced his decision to quit as first minister at Welsh Labour conference last month

He said he has only had "one brief discussion" with Carwyn Jones on his first day in the assembly, but said that was not a surprise with the inquiry.

Asked if he was glad that Mr Jones was stepping down as first minister, Mr Sargeant said: "I'm glad that the Jones family are getting their dad back and their husband back, and that decision is Carwyn's decision."

But he added: "Unfortunately, I'm not getting dad back".

Marking National Mental Health Awareness Week, Mr Sargeant said the "stigma" around mental health needs to be broken.